Cassius Clay Beats Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964

On February 25, 1964, one of the most famous athletes in North American sports history forever stamped his name in the annals of boxing. It was on this day that boxing heavyweight champion Sonny Liston defended his title against Cassius Clay at Miami Beach, Florida. Clay would shock the world and let everyone know that he changed his name to Muhammad Ali after it was over. However, this fight almost didn't take place.

During that period of time, Ali had been seen around Miami Beach with The Nation of Islam. Malcolm X, one of the members of that group, was also seen with Ali in which he became a strong supporter of him. It is widely believed that this is much of the reason the fight took place in a half-filled arena because many viewed The Nation of Islam as "hate group". But despite this, the fight took place as the champion looked to continue his dominance.

Liston, who was a dominating figure in boxing at the time, completely overwhelmed his opponents with power in the ring. In 1962, Liston finally got his shot at the heavyweight title against Floyd Patterson. Patterson, who declined fighting Liston initially because of his criminal past, lost his title in convincing fashion. In their rematch, it only took Liston a few seconds longer to beat Patterson.

Clay was a 1960 Olympic gold medal winner in the Lightweight division at the Games in Rome, Italy. He began his pro career after winning the medal and defeated everyone in his path before challenging Liston to a match for the title. One of the opponents that Clay beat before challenging Liston was a good fighter by the name of Archie Moore.

Clay even went as far as to go to Liston's house with a bear net after following him around for a period of time. Liston agreed to defend his title, and most observers thought this would be another easy win for him. The fight was set to take place in Miami Beach. Clay was a 7-1 underdog going into the fight, but was very confident that he would beat Liston.

"If you wanna lose your money, then bet on Liston," said Clay before the fight.

Most thought that Liston, who was an ex-convict, would not have too much trouble with a flamboyant boxer like Clay. Even during the weigh-in, a fine was issued for an outburst by Clay. But this later proved to be mind games for Clay after many thought he did that because of being scared of Liston. But doctors find out that he was just fine, and was ready to upset the champion of the boxing world.

In a half-filled arena in Miami Beach, it was Clay who dictated the pace early on in the opening round. Clay circled and danced around the ring avoiding the power of Liston. He used his quick feet and jabs to fend of the champion while Liston couldn't use his strength to fend off Clay. Clay looked more like the champion rather than a 7-1 underdog early on.

By Round 3, Clay used a left/right combination punch that cut Liston above his left eye. Three rounds into the fight, and Clay controlled the tempo the entire time. But a problem came up in Round 4.

During Round 4, a liniment from Liston's cut had gotten into the eyes of Clay which blinded him going into the next round. Controversy to this day exists as to what it was and how this happened to Clay. Clay fought Round 5 blind, and stayed away from Liston to keep the champion from knocking him out. It was amazing that Clay was doing this though not everyone knew exactly what was going on in the ring at the time.

By Round 6, Clay's eyes had cleared. He went back to dictating tempo while frustrating the champion. Liston looked very weary going back to his corner at the conclusion of the round. Suddenly, a shocking turn of events had taken place.

Liston stayed on his stool while not answering the bell for Round 7. It was said that Liston claimed a shoulder injury and could not continue in this fight. Most everyone thought he had quit the fight because he couldn't beat Clay.

Clay was then interviewed after the fight, and had one of the most famous lines in sports history....

"I'm the king of the world, I am the greatest, I’m Muhammad Ali. I shook up the world, I am the greatest, I'm king of the world, I'm pretty, I'm pretty, I'm a bad man, you heard me I'm a bad man. Archie Moore fell in four, Liston wanted me more, so since he's so great, I'm a make him fall in eight, I'm a bad man, I'm king of the world! I'm 22 years old and ain’t got a mark on my face, I'm pretty, I easily survived six rounds with that ugly bear, because I am the greatest."

This would be Clay's last fight under his name, and he legally changed it to Muhammad Ali after winning the title. Originally, it was to be Cassius X, but he rescinded it to Ali instead.

A rematch between the two took place in May the following year under more controversy. That fight was originally scheduled in November of 1964, but Ali suffered a hernia which delayed the fight while many believed Liston was in the best shape of his career. The rematch only lasted a round.

Ali hit Liston with he called an "anchor punch" that put Liston on the mat. Jersey Joe Walcott, a former heavyweight champion who was referee for this fight, couldn't get Ali to a neutral corner therefore, he couldn't count for Liston on the mat. Walcott rubbed Liston's gloves and consulted with the time keeper before Ali went to punching him again. The timekeeper then advised Walcott that Liston was down for more than ten seconds and decided to top the fight. Ali retained his title, but controversy brews to this day as to what happened.

Many thought Liston was bribed and the crowd, who was behind the challenger, yelled that it was fixed. Many also agreed that Ali's punch couldn't have knocked Liston out. Many more questions than answers came in the two fights they had.

Nonetheless, Ali's rise to the top of boxing was undeniable. He would be stripped of the title by the WBA in 1967 for refusing induction into the U.S Army. He would return in 1970 while eventually winning back the heavyweight title. Ali is widely considered by many to be the best boxer ever, and he's also recognized as one of the best athletes as well as popular sporting figures, too. Many claim he's the best ever not only for his accomplishments, but because he fought in the golden age of boxing where competition was at it's highest. He finished with a career record of 56-5-0 with 37 wins coming by way of knockout.

Liston's life was never the same after the two fights with Ali. Even though he won a series of fights after this, Liston lost his last fight to Leotis Martin in 1969. Like the controversy in the fights with Ali, his mysterious death in 1970 still has more questions than answers surrounding it. One thing for sure is that Liston took whatever happened to him in those fights straight to his grave. We'll likely never know what truly happened with Liston. Liston's career record was 50-4-0 with 39 wins by way of knockout.

Muhammad Ali lives with Parkinson's Disease which he was diagnosed with in 1984. After years of being despised by some fans for his arrogant style in boxing, Ali is now widely beloved and adored by fans despite the disease. In 1996, Ali had the honor of lighting the flame at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Despite the controversy in this fight, this began the rise of Ali as a cult sports icon in the United States. Ali has received numerous accolades and is still one of the most recognized people in this country. Ali will always have his place in history as a true legend and icon in boxing, sports, and in life. The man known as the "Greatest of All-Time" had arrived on this day in 1964.

Thanks for viewing, and I hope you enjoyed this sports history flashback!

For any Ali fans out there, here's his official site: Muhammad Ali's Page

Posted in: Ali, boxing, controversy, Liston, Miami Beach, Muhammad Ali, Sonny Liston, sports

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